CHIPS & PUTTS. August Meeting Country Club of Scranton Host: Greg Boring

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1 CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Founded in 1936 VOL. 23, NO. 4 August 2017 August Meeting Country Club of Scranton Host: Greg Boring Our annual clambake and scholarship fundraiser tournament took us to one of Northeast PA s true gems, the Country Club of Scranton. Started in 1896, it was originally located in downtown Scranton on the site of Marywood University. In 1926 they moved the site to their current location with the 18 hole course being designed by Walter Travis and an additional 9- holes added in 1989 designed by Dr. Michael Hurzdan. Known for its difficult, sloping greens, C.C. of Scranton has hosted many tournaments over the years; (4) PA State Amateurs, the Senior PA State Amateur, a PA State Open, U.S. Open qualifiers, the Anthracite Open, and most recently the PA State Match-Play Championship. The course plays to a par 72 at 7,000 yards from the tips and is protected by 62 bunkers. The 27 hole property boasts 4 acres of greens, 4 acres of tees, and 44 acres of fairways. Continued on page 5

2 Page 2 President's Message... Officers & Directors 2017 It looks like the end of the year will be a mild one for much of the Northeast. I am just hoping that this is not an indicator of a rough winter, but let us all start our preparations now during aerification with soil amendments needed for your course. We are better off doing everything we can to prevent winter kill now than after it hits. I am hoping everyone has had a good year so far. If there is anything that the Association can do, please let me know, and I will help you out as best I can. Thank you. PRESIDENT Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak C.C VICE PRESIDENT Ronald Garrison, Fox Hill C.C TREASURER Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club SECRETARY Chris Moran, Honesdale C.C Editor s Notes.. Gino Marchetti DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc Michael Darby, Eagle Rock Resort Jerry Decker, Elkview C.C Jeff Koch, Glenmaura National G.C Les Lear, Turf Equipment and Supply Co Chris Passenti, Lords Valley C.C Past Prresident Greg Boring, C.C. of Scranton CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF Well, with the summer season coming to a close, we reflect back at what the season had to bring. For some it was a relatively nonchallenging year and for others it was extremely challenging. I guess it just all depends on where you where located. One thing is for sure, Fall is fast approaching. Please send me pictures!! I know you have them!! EDITOR Les Lear, Turf Equipment and Supply Co leslear@turf-equipment.com Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky mmel500@aol.com Les Lear PTGA Office 309 Terrace Avenue Harding, PA Phone/Fax: Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and/or person quoted, and may not represent the position of PTGA. Information contained in this publication may be used freely, in whole or in part, without special permission, as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line.

3 Page Page 3 3 GCSAA Happenings By: Chase Rogan Summer is a busy time for our members for obvious reasons. During this busy time, gcsaa.org is a great website to keep up to date with current news and initiatives around the industry. For example, we have our Advocacy Hub that keeps you current on issues affecting our industry, and issues in which we need you to engage. Our Take Action tool is great for raising your voice, and takes you through necessary steps to send a note to your Congressman or Congresswoman. All you need to do is click a couple buttons and fill in some pertinent information. Our refurbished mobile app is littered with resources, all at the tip of your fingers. Included in the app is current news, job postings, twitter and Facebook feeds, the GCSAA directory, GCM Magazine, and the GCSAA Calculator. With the calculator, members can perform cost calculations such as cost of mowing, cost per nutrient, cost of topdressing, and more. It also has other great features that help determine and calculate seeding and sprigging rates, compare products on a cost per active ingredient or cost per nutrient basis, and much more. The app can be downloaded from the app store by searching GCSAA+. The Can Am Cup is coming to Baltusrol and Canoe Brook Country Club on October 23 and 24. Registration is limited, and will include great education and networking opportunities, as well as competitive golf at worldclass venues. Sign up to help U.S. superintendents take the crown against our Canadian friends at this inaugural event. If you are a Class A, or B, GCSAA member and have not been to GIS in 5 years or more, consider applying for the Melrose Leadership Academy this fall. This a great program that supports the professional development of GCSAA members by providing individuals the opportunity to attend the Golf Industry Show. The program is set up to provide up to 20 scholarships every year. While at the education conference, class members will attend sessions hosted by golf s industry leaders. Attendees will also have extensive networking opportunities at various receptions and events. I ve heard nothing but positive remarks from those who have attended; so look for the application process to open later this year. GCSAA Leadership Program Opportunities Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards - given in cooperation with Golf Digest. We are looking for any superintendents who have gone above and beyond with environmental stewardship, such as water conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, and wildlife conservation. If you know any candidates who would be good, please let me know so I can reach out to them. More can be found here: about-gcsaa/awards/environmental-leaders-in-golf-awards Excellence in Government Affairs - candidates who have done a lot of work in this arena, please nominate them or let me know so I can ask another member to nominate them. More can be found here: about-gcsaa/awards/excellence-in-government-affairs-award Melrose Leadership Academy - is a scholarship to attend GIS as an all expense paid trip complete with great educational and networking opportunities. One of the prerequisites for eligibility is that the Superintendent has not been to GIS in 5 years. I have sent s to all of our candidates who are eligible in the region according to our records, but any additional recruitment efforts can help. More on that can be found here: Please contact Chase Rogan directly with any questions or application submissions.

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5 Page Page 3 5 Continued from page 1 Since 2009, shortly after Greg s arrival at Scranton, the course has undergone some major renovations and improvements. In the fall of 2009, all the greens had new drainage installed via the XGD system. In July of 2011 the Club embarked on a major renovation project that included the complete rebuilding of all 62 bunkers on the 18 hole course, the re-contouring of some fairways, construction of some forward tees, and the addition of 2.5 acres of tightly mowed greens surrounds. Greg and his crew have also overseen the removal of more than 2,500 trees and a complete driving range renovation. All these renovations have now led to the C.C. of Scranton being ranked in the top 100 Classical Golf Courses in the United States. Greg, an Ohio State grad, has most recently been promoted to the title of Director of Clubhouse and Grounds Operations. As you can imagine, this sizeable property takes a sizeable staff to keep it in tip-top shape. The in-season crew of 35 has 4 employees with Turf degrees, including his Superintendent Shane Sullivan, along with long time employee and now Equipment Manager Charlie Saxe.

6 Page 6 Research Indicates Biologicals Can Play a Role in Grub Control By: John Reitman In the ongoing struggle to control white grubs in golf course turf, research conducted at Purdue University indicates that granular and liquid formulations of some biological controls can be effective tools in a turfgrass manager's arsenal. Doug Richmond, Ph.D., associate professor of turfgrass entomology at Purdue, and Robert Behle, Ph.D., research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recently completed a threeyear study showing that liquid or granular formulations of a common biological control were effective at killing Japanese beetles, June beetles, masked chafers throughout various life stages. The researchers used a USDA method, known as liquid culture fermentation, to mass produce Metarhizium fungi and convert them into granular form that is applied to the soil. According to Richmond and Behle, liquid and granular formulations of Metarhizium fungi made with microsclerotia that are capable of producing infective conidia after application to the field can be more effective than commercial grade biologicals at controlling grubs depending on the life stage of the pest. Beetles were collected at three stages of the lifecycle and placed in cups where they were exposed to varied rates of commercial grade biologicals, granules made from microsclerotia and imidacloprid. Control of biological products ranged from 20 percent in the larval stage early in the season to almost 70 percent in third instar grubs in late summer or early fall. By comparison, imidacloprid controlled virtually all grubs in the larval stage, but control was similar to that shown by biological products at the third instar level. The project, which was conducted on Kentucky bluegrass turf in West Lafayette, Indiana, was funded by a grant from the U.S. Golf Association. Researchers were not recommending biologicals as a replacement for tools like imidacloprid, but rather as part of an integrated pest management plan.

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8 Page 9 July Meeting Results 1st Place - 61 Lee Kozsey, Tom Wilchak Paul Viola, Brian Hall 2nd Place - 62 Bob Brown, Mark Brown Jason Brown Mike Darby 7th Place Gregg Kozar, Matt Brown Bill Corcoran, Casey Sheehan 11th Place Gino Marchetti, Darrin Batisky Pat Healey, Les Lear Closest to the Pin #3 Duane Schell #7 Mark Brown #11 Don Stanton #13 Ned Hayes Skins: Eagle on #12 Steve Chirip, Paul Brandon Jerry Decker, Dave Schell There were 84 Birdies. The only holes not birdied were #10 and #13. Photo of the Month We all see interesting things every day.wildlife (like bald eagles and bears), strange turf problems (like a lightning strike), an employee who stayed out too late the night before, etc. So if you have a great photo, send it to me (leslear@turf-equipment.com) and share it for everyone to enjoy (or laugh at). Photo of the Month Left, Right, Left, Right, Left This photo was submitted by our very own Pat Healey showing us that a colony of ants were using his green as a parade ground to get their tasks accomplished. Thanks for sharing, Pat!

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10 Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Stephen Thompson William Mast Air2G2 John Downer Rich Gdovin EQUIPMENT Aer-Core Stephen Thompson William Mast Air2G2 John Downer Rich Gdovin Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski Les Lear Finch Services Ted Zabrenski FERTILIZER Rich Gdovin Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip Growth Products Craig Lambert Plant Food Co., Inc. Tom Weinert GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Rich Gdovin Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip John Deere Brent Wood IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE John Deere Brent Wood Turf Equip. and Supply George Skawski Les Lear PLANT PROTECTANTS Rich Gdovin Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip John Deere Brent Wood Growth Products Craig Lambert Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey SEED & SOD Rich Gdovin Coombs Sod Farms John Downer Finch Services Ted Zabrenski Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Rich Gdovin Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans Fertl Soil John Downer Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip Support our Sponsors - They support us!

11 PTGA SCHEDULE Sept. 13th PTGA Meeting and Great Bear G.C Oct. PTGA Huntsville G.C. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA POSTAGE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA NAME & ADDRESS PHONE/FAX WEBSITE: ptga.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.